OUC History Book

Page 49

1990–2010 OUC’s Southwest Water Plant opened in 1997.

Water Project 2000 . . . Laying the Groundwork for Improved Quality For OUC’s Water Business Unit, Water Project 2000 was the story of the century. The most

a new Lake Highland plant, as well as the Southeast

Largely conceived by General Manager and CEO

and Southwest plants, and converted Conway,

Bob Haven, Water Project 2000 was the largest

comprehensive effort to expand and

Kirkman, Sky Lake and Pine Hills to ozone. The

capital program, in terms of scope and investment,

modernize the water system infra-

new operation converted the system to an ozone

ever undertaken by the Commission to replace and

structure in OUC’s history called for

water treatment process, which significantly

upgrade water infrastructure. The monies budgeted

closing five outdated water plants —

reduced the amount of chlorine used in treatment

for the endeavor totaled $164.3 million and required

Martin, Dr. Phillips, Kuhl, Primrose

and completely removed hydrogen sulfide —

five 10 percent water rate increases over a five-

and Lake Highland — in favor of

a harmless, naturally occurring compound that

year period. The entire program was aggressively

building three larger plants and

gives water an unpleasant taste and odor. The

scheduled to be completed in five years between

converting four existing plants

program also expanded and improved pipelines

1995 and 2000, which enabled all OUC water

to the ozone treatment process.

and modernized the computer control system so

customers to enjoy the benefits as soon as possible,

As part of the effort, OUC built

that all water plants could be operated remotely.

and at about the same time.

Delivering H2OUC to the Tap OUC’s first ozone treatment plant began

OUC branded H2OUC and launched a full-scale marketing campaign around it.

treatment, OUC took the technology to a new

operation in the spring of 1997, delivering a new

level. It was the first utility to master control of the

“product” called H2OUC — ozone-treated water

sophisticated ozone water treatment system from

that tasted as good or better than bottled water

a remote facility with no full-time staff at the plant.

but cost much less. The new $30 million Southwest

An innovative partnership with the Florida DEP and

plant had a capacity of 30 MGD and replaced two

installing a highly sophisticated computer-based

older, less reliable plants: Martin and Dr. Phillips.

control system as part of Water Project 2000 made

Although ozone had long been used for water

this possible.

Bob Haven: “Water Industry Visionary”

B

ob Haven came to OUC on July 1, 1994 and passed away while in office in 2004. He brought with him decades of water industry and city government experience. A graduate of George Washington University, Haven arrived in Orlando in August 1981 as Central Florida was experiencing tremendous growth. During his tenure at the City of Orlando, he undertook some of the City’s largest projects, first as Director of Public Works and then as Chief Administrative Officer. He was the leading force behind the Orlando Arena, a major renovation of the Citrus Bowl, Lake Eola improvements, the new City Hall, Conserv I and Conserv II, and other projects estimated to cost $1 billion. Haven was passionate about providing the highest quality water. At OUC, he spearheaded the most extensive water system upgrade in the

General Manager (1994–2004)

utility’s history. Water Project 2000 mapped out a plan to convert OUC’s water treatment to ozone, the strongest disinfectant available. The new water product was well received by customers and branded H2OUC — “great tasting water straight from the tap.” Haven maintained OUC’s commitment to electric reliability — and under his management, the utility branded itself “OUC — The Reliable One.” The tagline is still used today, reinforcing the commitment to providing customers with the highest level of reliability. Under Haven’s leadership, OUC’s electric reliability was recognized as the best in the Southeastern U.S. Dogged in his pursuit of adding new customer programs that met the needs of large commercial customers and developers, Haven led the creation of OUCooling, a chilled water business, and OUConvenient Lighting, a

Page 45

commercial lighting program. While he was at the helm, the utility also expanded its operation to include the City of St. Cloud in Osceola County, adding 150 square miles to OUC’s service territory. Haven passed away on February 29, 2004. Before his death, he led the efforts to negotiate a 20-year Consumptive Use Permit agreement among OUC, Orange County and the St. Johns and South Florida Water Management Districts. “Bob’s water-industry expertise and tireless commitment laid the foundation for this crucial step in regional cooperation,” said OUC Commission Board President Tommy Boroughs. “Bob would be very pleased.”


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